Once considered a rising star for the Cincinnati Bengals, he had his pro career prematurely ended by recurring shoulder troubles.

Despite this, Cook went on to pass for 1,854 yards and led the Bengals to wins over the Chiefs and the Oakland Raiders, two of the three best teams in the AFL.

Cook recalled, "I took cortisone shots and played in pain, but the shoulder hadn't started to deteriorate yet, so I could still function.

"[4] The rotator cuff began deteriorating after the season; during surgery, it was revealed that Cook also had a partially detached biceps muscle.

[5] Former New York Jets quarterback Chad Pennington, who suffered two tears to his rotator cuff and underwent as many surgeries to repair it,[6] was often compared to Cook because their injuries were so similar.

Cook's injury was also similar to one suffered by New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who had surgery on his rotator cuff after the 2005–06 season.

Following retirement, Cook lived in Cincinnati, and worked with United Parcel Service and with Worksite Information Network as a motivational speaker for labor unions.